Egg case filler



Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" aneusra w. com on LONDON, o'maaxo, caiuna, as'sreuoa 'ro mm: nmrorr, or

- cnrcaeo, mnmors nee CASE mum Application med June 15, 192's.- semi m.- 285,528.

This invention relates to an egg case filler formed by a series ofcross walls which are ,"supported within a frame, the'structure an its entirety being collapsible, when not in use,

so as to economize greatly in the space required for its accommodation. The present filler is desirably made from sheet metal, and its several components are so formed as to involve a minimum waste of material. In addition, the form and dispositionof the filler components is such as to provide openings through from one cell to another whereby ventilation through the entire filler is promoted. These and other objects of my inven-' tion are set forth more fully in the description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated a suggestive embodiment of the invention in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the filler in its entirety;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a plurality of superposed fillers with intervening flats showing the relationship of these units as when placed within acase;

Fig. 3 is a detail in section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail in section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a view in plan of a sheet on which is outlined the filler walls and frame sides to be blanked therefrom.

The present filler which is square or rectangular in contour is composedof four sides constitutin a frame, and of cross walls which interlock w1th each other and with the frame. Two opposite sides of the frame are designated by the letters A and the other two sides which extend slightly past the ends thereof by the letters B. Each of these four frame sides is serrated along one of its longer edges by the provision of recurring notches 6, preferably of V-form and in contiguous relation, whereby to produce a series of alternate points 7. These notches extend inwardly toward the opposite edges for perhaps half way. In the completed frame, it ispreferred that the serrated edges of the walls A be arranged opposite to the corresponding edges 50 of the other walls B, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

' Extending crosswise of each other and between the opposite frame sides are the several filler walls 0 which may be formed alike in each instance. These walls are serrated along both of their longer edges by the provision of recurring notches 8, preferably of V-form and in contiguous relation, whereby to reduce a series of alternate points 9. e notches and points on the two edges of each wall are staggered so that the effect is to provide a zig-za form of wall thro hout its entire length. hese notches exten in each instance for approximately one-half the dis: tance toward the opposite wall edge, and because of this circumstance the several walls may be arranged crosswise or intersectingly ,withthe points of one cooperating with the notches of another to space apart and sustain the several walls in a desired manner. It will be noted in this connection that the illustrated filler is made up of ten walls, five extending one way and five the opposite. way, and together with the frame sides which are in effect outside walls for the filler, a total of 36 cells or pockets is provided. This is the usual capacity of filler which is placed within the standard egg case of the resent time.- In arriving at this construction it is desirable to provide five 'full notches and five full points on each wall so asto ensure an interlockin scribe V The end of each cross wall is shown as terminating in an extension forming a tongue 10 adapted to pass through a slit 11 provided for its reception in the proximate frame side. These tongues, when so disposed, may then be turned or bent around in any appropriate way, as, for example, in the manner shown in Fig. 3. This provides a'lock by which the frame sidesand walls extendin therebetween are retained in unitary relation. In addition similar tongues may be provided at'the so often cross walls in the manner de-,

ends of the frame sides A to enter slits adjacent the ends of the other sides B whereby to forming these parts as crimped to produce beads or ribs 12 which extend generally in a vertical direction. By some such means the movement for this purpose. When opened out and arranged one'on top of another within a case, flats 13 will be placed between the fillers in the usual manner. The flats will then receive contact from the blunted tips of the cross walls and from the smoothedges of two of the frame sides.

In the manufacture of the components for the present filler, it is possible to utilize a sheet of material in the manner suggested in Fig. 5. The portion along one edge of the sheet may be cut ofi to provide one of theframe sides A or B and from the adjacent portions a succession of cross walls may be cut out, all without any waste of material except along two opposite edges where narrow strips will be left as scrap. The economy in thus utilizing the material is a marked advantage.

I prefer to employ sheet metal for the production ofthe filler parts herein described. It is possible, however, with considerable advantage to use sheets of other material having the requisite properties to meet the requirements of this invention.

A filler, when constructed of metal, or other material which is non-odorous and non-absorptive, or which is treated to acquire these characteristics, lends itself to operations of processing or dipping the contained eggs without requirin any previous or subsequent transfer thereo thus eliminating certam handling operations which .add to the expense of such treatments. It is for reasons such as this that the present invention possesses advantages over other filler constructions which are lacking in' the characteristics noted.

I claim: I

1. In an egg case filler, a series of spaced parallel walls serrated along their upper and lower edges'to provide alternate notches and points, and a second series of spaced parallel walls also serrated along their upper and lower edges to provide alternate notches and points, the two series of walls being-cut from a single blank without waste of material, and the walls of one series crossing the other in such relation that the lower notches if the points, the two series of walls being cut from a single blank without waste of material, and

the walls of one series crossing the other in a such relation that the lower notches of the one are in point contact with the upper notches of the other to resist shifting, and a frame comprising interconnected, wall members enclosing and secured to each of said series of walls, said frame wall members constituting the end sections of the blank from which the two series of walls are cut.

3. An egg case filler comprising two series of walls positioned at an angle to each other and forming spaces therebetween, tongues .at the ends of the walls, a frame within which the walls are positioned, there being slots in the frame through which the tongues are extended for lateral bending upon the outer frame side, the frame com-prising four serrated sides normally formin a rectangle, two of the opposing frame si es being provided with tongues at their ends for insertion through slots adjacent end portions of the other two sides, the "tongues-being formed tubular exteriorly of the engaging slots in a manner to hold the sides securely together and rovide rounded bearing surfaces to permit ree folding of the structure.

4. An egg case filler comprising a series of spaced parallel walls having serrations along their upper and lower edges to provide alternate notches and points, a second series of spaced parallel walls having serrations along their upper and lower edges to provide alternate notches andpoints, the two series of walls crossing each other in such relation that the lower portions of the second series are in point contact with the upper portions of the first series to resist lateral shifting, and a frame enclosing and secured to each of said series of walls, the frame comprising four serrated sides adapted to form a rectangle, the walls and frame sides being cut from a single rectangular blank without waste of material and two of the opposite frame sides having tongues at their ends engaging slits adjacent end portions .of the other two frame sides, the tongues being bent upon themselves exteriorly of the engaging slots in a manner to provide roundedbearing surfaces and to hold the sides securelytogether.

5. An egg case filler comprising a series of spaced parallel walls having serrations along their upper and lower edges to provide alternate notches and oints, a second series of spaced parallel walls having serrations along their upper and lower edges to provide altertangle, two of the opposite frame sides having ton ues at their ends engaging slots adj acentt e end portions of the other two frame said recesses and projections being complementar'y in shape and size, said intersecting walls being so arranged that the apexes of the alternate recesses of intersecting walls are in point to point-contact.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and aflixed my seal this 12th day of June, 1928. I

. AUGUSTA W. COYLE.

sides, the tongues being rolled outside of the engaging slots in a manner to hold the sides securely together and provide rounded bearing surfaces.

6. In an egg case filler, a series of spacedparallel walls having serrations along their upper and lower edges to provide alternate notches and points, a second series of spaced.

parallel walls having serrations along their upper and lower edges to provide alternate notches and points, each of the several walls having a series of ribs extending transversely thereof to the points of the serrated sides for adding strength thereto, the two series of walls crossing each other in such relation that the lower portions of the second series are in oint contact with the upper portions of the rst series to resist shifting.

7. A foldable egg case filler comprising a frame of four sides swingingly connected at their ends, and a plurality of sheet metal cross walls hinged at their ends to the sides of the frame, the crossed walls being of longitudinal zigzag formation such that the op posite edges thereof are in point contact in staggered relation whereby to resist shifting of the cross walls between their points of connection with the sides of the frame.

8. An egg case filler comprising a plurality of intersecting walls each having alternate recesses and" projections on its upper and lower ed es, said recesses and projections being comp ementary in shape and size, said intersectin walls being so arranged that the apexes 0' the alternate recesses of intersecting walls are in point topoint contact.

9. An egg case filler comprising a plurality of intersecting walls each having alternate angularrecesses and projections on its upper an lower edges, said recesses and projections being complementa in shape and size, said intersectin walls being so arranged that the apexes of 5m alternate recesses of intersecting walls are in point to point contact.

aving a confi'gpration to permit their being severed from a lank with a minimum waste of'material, said partition members constituting intersecting walls each having alternate recesses and projections on its upper and lower edges,

10. An egg case filler comprising a plurality of partitionv members 

